Page 821 - Week 02 - Thursday, 12 February 2009

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(3) What coordination is there between the Department of Education and Training and Therapy ACT on this issue.

Mr Barr: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:

(1) The ACT Department of Education and Training is a member of the ACT Interagency Committee. The role of this committee is to increase cross-agency collaboration with a view to improving post school outcomes for all students with a disability. Members of the committee include other ACT and Australian Government agencies, the non-government education sector and private enterprise.

The two major activities of the committee are the publication of a transition guide, Future Pathways and the staging of an annual Post School Options Expo. Future Pathways assists students to make informed decisions and plans for life after school and is provided to all ACT students with a disability in years 9, 10, 11 and 12.

The aim of the expo is to provide students with a disability, their families, carers and teachers with advice on transition planning, career pathways, employment services and options, further education and training, funding eligibility, advocacy and information services, employability skills, life skills and community access services.

In addition to the work of the committee, students also have access through their schools to programs such as work experience, vocational education and training, Australian School-based Apprenticeships and the Student to Industry Program. These programs are supported at the Department level by a designated Post Schools Options officer.

(2) Therapy services, including speech therapy, for students with a disability in ACT public schools are provided by Therapy ACT. There are no plans for the Department of Education and Training to directly employ therapists to work in schools.

(3) Therapy ACT and the Department of Education and Training work in partnership to consider how best to meet the high levels of demand for therapy services for school-aged children.

Children—autistic
(Question No 8)

Ms Hunter asked the Minister for Education and Training, upon notice, on 10 December 2008:

(1) What is the ACT Government doing to establish a training program in the ACT in specialist areas needed for autistic children, such as speech therapy.

(2) What professional training is there for specialists and teachers to ensure that professionals are being kept up-to-date.

Mr Barr: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:

(1) An interagency group with representation from Autism Asperger ACT, Therapy ACT, the University of Canberra, and the Department of Education and Training was


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